Concealed carry at a gun show

[ExactlyMyPoint]

I attended a gun show last weekend. Rather than unload my gun and unload all the cartridges from my magazine, I opted to just put my gun in a COM and leave it in the car. Maybe not the best decision, but fortunately nothing happened.

I live in Oregon and it is pretty much legal to carry most anywhere. I had the occasion to speak with one of the security guards. He was not a cop, so he might not have been completely in the know. I asked him what would happen if someone got "caught" carrying a loaded, concealed weapon at the show.

He didn't seem to flinch as it has happened before. He said it is not illegal to do so. Apparently, just convention hall policy. The person would be asked to unload the gun and the ammunition would be confiscated. (Now for me, that would be about $20 worth of ammunition and I would just request that I put it in my car. Not sure if that would happen. ) There would be no arrest or anything as again, it is officially not illegal.

Is it illegal to carry in other states, or is it just corporate policy?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[TampaShooters]

Not legal to carry in a Gun Show here in Florida.

[SatCong]

You can carry here, but the weapon to be unloaded.

[PocketRocket]

To me not being able to carry at a gun show is like a person having to be skinny to attend a Richard Simmons weekend convention.

[Naturalstate]

Actually you can carry your gun to a gun show in Florida... the mag. must be empty and removed and the State Police at the entry points will put a plastic tie thru the center of the gun. You can then carry it concealed.

[64zebra]

In Texas they have to post 30.06 sign unless the gun show is in a place already prohibited from possesing a weapon (I've never seen that though)
fortunately, here the gun shows are in the city owned civic center so 30.06 signs are not enforcable

[luvmyglock]

To me not being able to carry at a gun show is like a person having to be skinny to attend a Richard Simmons weekend convention.

In Texas they have to post 30.06 sign unless the gun show is in a place already prohibited from possesing a weapon (I've never seen that though)
fortunately, here the gun shows are in the city owned civic center so 30.06 signs are not enforcable

That's dandy...unless you live in Seattle now...................

[CyberGuyPR]

They do the same at the Knob Creek machine gun shoot.

Actually you can carry your gun to a gun show in Florida... the mag. must be empty and removed and the State Police at the entry points will put a plastic tie thru the center of the gun. You can then carry it concealed.

[DaveH]

There is no Virginia law making gun shows non-carry or no-loaded guns events. There is a law that makes public owned venues such as Civic Centers non-restricted.

However many gun shows in otherwise non-restricted venues are posted as no-loaded gun, with guards to check to see that all guns are empty and plastic tie-tied.

I have a personal concern about a precedent that one might be setting by supporting/attending of gun shows which are non-carry events at venues that not restricted -- like most public property .

Background:

1) We know that some local governments would like a mechanism to bypass States' reemptive gun laws and stop any carry at many events in their jurisdiction, such as festivals, boat shows, etc.

2) I have had involvement scheduling multi-state events where we used public venues & held parades, for a non-RKBA organization (not anti-RKBA, just different focus altogether).

Once you got by the hotel room availability on the "traditional" weekend, one of the major cost considerations was the cost of using the public venue and receiving the parade permit. Often, a major component is of these costs was the police overtime. The local government decided what was needed and what it would cost. It is amassing how many officers they can assume are needed at any venue (such as a convention center), not to mention simple traffic control at a parade. The cost in overtime would floor you.

My concern:

What is to keep local goverments et al from modifying their permit, venue lease, etc processes to require any organization whose proposed events are NOT to be post as an Unarmed Victim Zone" (by whatever name) to pay a high overtime cost for "adequate" police protection, or to obtain costly insurance, to cover other cost, which the local government deems necessary -- while allowing any organization who plan to post the proposed event as an "Unarmed Victim Zone" to avoid such payment/cost? They would not need a ban. They would just need to require the increased cost for a Non-gun-carry event in a smokescreen of other "increased" safety issues, such as fireworks. IMHO -- Non-RKBA groups would sign-off to save money, in a heart beat.

Fighting such a strategy, or disputing the accessed cost, could be a resource sapping series of scrimmages, assuming RKBA organizations could get standing when we are not party to the contract -- especially contracts where such cost were waived for the .


My questions:

Should not any pro 2A, RKBA individual take a stand that private individuals/organizations/ etc cannot CONVERT "public property" into "private property" by rent/leasing/etc and therefore the "Public Property" rules for carry remain in effect?

If a gun show promoter can treat a public site as private property and declare an "Unarmed Victim Zone" , why not the XYZ festival, concert, carnival, non K-12 sport function, flea-market, etc.?

Originally Posted by 64zebra
In Texas they have to post 30.06 sign unless the gun show is in a place already prohibited from possesing a weapon (I've never seen that though) fortunately, here the gun shows are in the city owned civic center so 30.06 signs are not enforcable

What happens in other States where public owned venues (such as Civic Centers) are not restricted -- yet the Lessee post them?

Do you boycott gun shows, if you live in a State where public owned venues (such as Civic Centers) are not restricted -- yet the Lessees post them?

Has your State's RKBA organizations addressed this concern?

[FlyboyLDB]

There is no law here in TN nor in GA that prohibits carry at a gun show. With that said, most are manned at the door with LEOs - signs stating that you are not allowed to enter with a loaded gun or loose ammo. Since that sign is in essence being enforced by LEOs - I would say you would be arrested. It is more of an insurance/liability issue - and yes, people have been shot at gun shows. What is bewildering is I can carry my gun in (strapped or banded) go over to the ammo table and purchase all the ammo I desire. Or purchase a gun and do the same. Some shows will now escort you out the door with your new gun purchase.

[stanislaskasava]

I don't think there's any legal mechanism by which your ammunition can be 'confiscated'. Carry ammo ain't cheap. Stealing is stealing by any other name.

[MilitaryPower]

In Florida it is not illegal per se to carry concealed at a gun show. Just against the gun show's policy. Sure they have signs and ask at the door, but will they know? IF you get caught, I'm sure they will ask you to leave or put the ammo back in the car. If you don't, they can trespass you. Generally, there are enough cops around that I feel relatively safe IN the show. Out in the parking lot is another story. Sure my guns are unloaded and zipped, but I always seem to "forget" that extra mag in my pocket for when I come back out. Plus, I can get that zip-tie off in short order with one of my four knives.

[Ram Rod]

Concealed carry at a gun show

Been there, done that. Unless it is posted here then it's okay. They may have a sign that reads 'all firearms must be checked'. To me that is any firearms carried in for sale or openly, or boxed, a CCW wouldn't apply. Actually I have run into THE SIGN one time, and I turned around, went home, and saved six dollars!

[KenInColo]

I don't think there's any legal mechanism by which your ammunition can be 'confiscated'. Carry ammo ain't cheap. Stealing is stealing by any other name.

I agree. If carrying loaded isn't illegal how can your ammo be confiscated?

[64zebra]

That's dandy...unless you live in Seattle now...................